Page 179 - KFED PR REPORT LOCAL - AUGUST 2025

8/4/25, 11:49 AM MAKE and Khalifa Fund launch the 5th Cohort of Athath Fellowship 2025 to empower the new generation

MAKE and Khalifa Fund launch the 5th Cohort of Athath Fellowship
2025 to empower the new generation

01 August 2025, Abu Dhabi - MAKE has launched its 5th cohort of the Athath Fellowship 2025, in partnership with Khalifa Fund for
Enterprise Development, inviting all next-gen aspiring furniture entrepreneurs to reimagine the world of furniture design. The
application call, launched last month, welcomed those who view furniture as a functional design, and the selected applicants are
interviewed in June 2025. Every phase of the programme is dedicated to unraveling unique skills and visionary ideas.
Hosted by MAKE at their facility in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, from July to 11 October 2025, the programme is structured in three
distinct phases and will combine 8 training -sessions to equip aspiring creatives in furniture design with the tools to launch and grow
their businesses. From shifting the mindset to entrepreneurial thinking, to mastering the Business Model Canvas, operational
planning, pricing, branding, and digital marketing, each session offers practical insights led by industry experts. The programme also
covers growth strategies and the essentials of setting up a business legally in the UAE.This year’s edition is supported by Khalifa
Fund for Enterprise Development, whose mission aligns with the fellowship’s goal of empowering emerging entrepreneurs and
building a dynamic, innovation-driven ecosystem. This edition will bring together a new generation of talents committed to shaping
the regional dialogue on aesthetics, functionality, and innovation in modern furniture design. Khalifa Fund’s support also emphasises
the fellowship's commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering commercially sustainable design practices in the UAE.

Her Excellency Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: “We are proud to support Athath
Fellowship 2025 as part of our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent in the creative industries. This programme not only
empowers young designers with the tools and knowledge to thrive, but also aligns with our broader vision of enabling sustainable,
design-led enterprises that contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for knowledge-based, innovation-driven
economy.

Talal AlAnsari, General Manager of MAKE, added: “This version of the programme, developed in partnership with Khalifa Fund for
Enterprise Development, is rooted in cultural relevance, functional design, and commercial appeal, focusing on creating furniture

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